Overview

More than any other book of the last fifty years (and perhaps ever), the Harry Potter novels have captured the imagination of children and adults around the world. Yet no one has ever been able to unlock the secret of Harry's wild popularity . . . until now. Updated and expanded since its original publication as Looking for God in Harry Potter (and now containing final conclusions based on the entire series), How Harry Cast His Spell explains why the books meet our longing to experience the truths of life, love, ...

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Overview

More than any other book of the last fifty years (and perhaps ever), the Harry Potter novels have captured the imagination of children and adults around the world. Yet no one has ever been able to unlock the secret of Harry's wild popularity . . . until now. Updated and expanded since its original publication as Looking for God in Harry Potter (and now containing final conclusions based on the entire series), How Harry Cast His Spell explains why the books meet our longing to experience the truths of life, love, and death; help us better understand life and our role in the universe; and encourage us to discover and develop our own gifts and abilities.

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Potterheads

This book is wonderful for fans and hardcore fans alike. HARRY POTTER FOREVER!!!!!!!

8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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mezzo2

Posted May 8, 2010

How Harry Cast His Spell

This book is excellent! As a Christian and a teacher, I initially struggled with the appropriateness of reading the Harry Potter books myself-----or to my students. Granger's critical analysis of Christian symbolism throughout the series explains our attraction to these stories. I recommend How Harry Cast His Spell to all Harry Potter fans!

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 31, 2008

Figuring out the Enigma in Harry Potter

You know, I heard John Granger speak at my university in the spring of 2007. As a fan of the Potter series, I though, 'hey, this'll be fun.' And it was. But it was also so much more. I frequented his blog, at hogwartsprofessor.com, reading the various essays right down to the minute the Deathly Hallows was released and have continued to do so since that time. When I heard about this book coming out, I had to have it and so I ordered it online. I read it in a day and a half, and as is the case with Mr. Granger's lectures and the postings at hogwartsprofessor.com, this is a great book to read for some literary analysis of this series, something that I believe is oddly lacking but will continue to grow in popularity. John Granger explains the Christian significance of the series 'it seems much more so in the second half of the book than in the first - as in the first he's laying the groundwork to do it', and his analysis left me in tears at certain points 'especially when he gets to discussing Deathly Hallows', and I don't know if this is from just thinking about certain events in the book 'because I was in tears when I had first read it, as most people were', or if his analysis added to the story, like some sort of 'if you're crying at this point, you know how Harry cast his spell.' Jason Isaacs, who portrays Lucius Malfoy in the film versions, said that the Potter series are 'like crack' and I have to say that I'm totally addicted, like so many others. So, naturally, anything about Potter has the chance of being lots of fun, and this book is certainly that. Oh, and one other thing: this isn't the only book John Granger has published on the subject. But if you're still up in the air about whether or not to get it, you should read a few of the essays at hogwartsprofessor.com, and you should know that Mr. Granger's credentials are pretty damn good I and many others hold the University of Chicago and its alums in high regard.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 25, 2011

Me love hp

Oi i love hp

2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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How Harry Cast His Spell

Harry Potter has captured the imaginations of millions of children and adults from every walk of life. The series has possibly experienced more popularity than any other book of the last fifty years having sold millions of copies around the world. With this in mind many have asked "Why is Harry Potter is so insanely popular?" As a fan of the Harry Potter series I already knew the answer, but this book has wrought to light many of the Christian aspects of series which I over looked. How Harry Potter casts his spells is an interesting look in to the Christian aspects of the Harry Potter Book series.

Below is the Table of Contents taken from the book. I like the way the Author wrote an explanation of each chapter in such a informative and humorous way. Through this book the Author adds a touch of humor to his writing.

Acknowledgments Publisher's Preface Introduction

1: Magic, Fantasy, and Transcendence
The magic in Harry Potter is traditional literary spellwork that acts as a counterspell to the materialism of our times.

2: Cosmic White Hats and Black Hats
The Harry Potter Novels revolve around the central conflict of good and evil

3: The Hero's Journey
Harry's adventures take him through life, death and resurrection

4: The Alchemy of Spiritual Growth
The story of cycles are built on the stages of transformation

5: One Person, Two Natures
Doppelgangers point to the struggle of dual natures- and their resolution in the God-Man.

6:Don't Judge, Lest You Be Judged
Surprise endings suggest a remedy for the evils of prejudice

7: The Triumph of Love over Death
The mystery of death meets the ultimate answer

8: The Question of Identity
Harry defines himself through choices, change, and destiny

9: Evidence of Things Unseen
The symbols in Potterdom are powerful pointers to spiritual realities

10: Fun with Names
The character names are delightful puzzles with hidden spiritual meanings

11: The Purification of the Soul
Spiritual keys to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
12: Dangerous Books and Edifying Books
Spiritual keys to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

13: Despair and Delivery
Spiritual keys to Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban
14: Girded with Virtue
Spiritual keys to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

15: Dark night of the Soul
Spiritual keys to Harry Potter and the the Order of the Phoenix

16: Baptism into a Sacrificial Death
Spiritual keys to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

17: Choosing to Believe
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as the stuggle with faith in story form

18: Christian Birth through Baptism
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as the alchemical adventures of a Christian Everyman
19: Victory Over Death
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as the Passion gospel of Christian Everyman

20: FAQs
The other big questions on the minds of Harry Potter reader's

Notes

My Personal Opinion
"How Harry Cast His Spell:The Meaning Behind the Mania for J. K. Rowling's Bestselling Books"
is an interesting read for any Christian fan of Harry Potter, this book shows that Christian symbolism is easily found in the Harry Potter series for those willing to search for it.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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booksalot

Posted May 14, 2009

I Also Recommend:

Quite Good.

This is one of Granger's best. (It is the third incarnation of Granger's original, self-published "The Hidden Key to Harry Potter" which was then picked up by Salt-River/Tyndale and re-titled, "Looking for God in Harry Potter.") It is nicely edited by Tyndale House, which makes it a much more reader-friendly than some of the author's other works.

As is typical for Mr. Granger (who has always delighted in making plot guesses while admitting that they may be wildly wrong. and usually were: but then, who could have known besides Rowling herself?), this book gets a lot right. However, it gets some key things wrong. For example, on page 4 Granger says, "Even the most evil wizards do their nasty magic with spells; not one character in any of the seven books ever calls in evil spirits. Not once." This charitable argument makes no sense to me considering that Granger's first book, from 2002, argued that Rowling's fourth Potter book contains a Black Mass at the end. Does Mr. Granger think that a Black Mass doesn't summon evil spirits? More likely, Mr. Granger just hasn't had time to think everything through since he's a full-time teacher/professor.

In this kind of thing, I find that "How Harry Cast His Spell" is surpassed by the first installment of Nancy Solon Villaluz' adventurous new Harry Potter/J.K. Rowling study trilogy, "Does Harry Potter Tickle Sleeping Dragons?" which makes very logical arguments based on Rowling's manifold interviews and reveals a great deal more about Rowling's spoken intentions and influences. I suggest that readers buy both Granger's and Villaluz' books (which I have reviewed separately) for the total picture on Harry.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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No smoke without fire

I've loved Harry Potter for years but never articulated the reason for my enjoyment beyond liking the setting and the characters (especially as the latter matured and made right choices). John Granger showed me the symbols of Christ in the book, analyzed the formula that always results in Harry's "death" and "resurrection," and introduced me to literary alchemy. This is a bookish adaptation of real alchemy, not concerned with turning metal to gold but rather with purifying souls. "How Harry Cast his Spell" may help you understand your liking of Rowling's books, or it may take away your fear. The only reason I didn't give this book a 5 is that the writing style could use some improvement.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 30, 2008

harry potter insight

This is a must, must read for Harry Potter fans. Mr. Granger understands the Potter books as well or better than any one else. Don Holmes

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 2, 2013

Help, i want to find a book that has all the harry potter spells and wanted to know if this is the book even though it $10.00???

Help

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 16, 2012

Siriusly? Granger?!?!Yea and I'm Lily Potter:$

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 31, 2012

I luv Harry Potter

I would luv to be Ginny!!!!

1 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 23, 2011

????

Does Anyone Know Whete I Can Find A Library On The Nook... Where You Can Borrow Books For Free?

1 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 22, 2011

What is this crap?

Harry Potter is definitly one of my favs...... but from the reviews all i am gettimg is its a christian analysis when H.P. is all about witch craft and magic. Most christians i know(i dont make it habit to socialize with them though) are strongly against H.P. so in my opinion this is just a bunch of hooey-blooey to get you to be a christian and give some oastor 10% of you paycheck....... on the positive side the authors name is awesome

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted November 29, 2011

I haven' t read the book

I haven't read the book but look at the author's last name!!!! It's awesome for a guy writing about Harry Potter!!!!

1 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 3, 2011

How Harry Cast His Spell

Is wonderful for children who dont want the Potter series to end.

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Um........

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9052865

Posted July 21, 2011

Granger!

Love this, and love how his last name is Granger! ;)

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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19009249

Posted April 7, 2011

Great name for a Harry author

Looks like a great read +mr GRANGER is the author

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted July 11, 2014

Ok

Witch craft isn'good

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Anonymous

Posted September 22, 2013

Awesome Read

This is the book to read if you are wanting to dig deeper into the meanings & symbolism of the Harry Potter series. Especially if you have been curious about the religious symbolism or ethics of the magic in the books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book & would recommend it to muggle who is curious about or hungering for more Harry Potter.

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